JP4841500B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus capable of arbitrarily setting margin widths and partition lines between aggregated pages when performing aggregate printing.

  When printing a document, you may set a dividing line according to the application, enlarge / reduce the page size, print multiple pages within one page, or print with mixed page orientations. . As shown in FIG. 12, some print pages are arranged with no gaps between them to perform collective printing, and as shown in FIG. 13, some print with margins between pages. Below are some examples of prior art related to this.

  An “image forming apparatus” disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an apparatus that automatically recognizes a print target image in a document having a print target image as a part of the document and arranges it on a print sheet without waste. It is. Acquires printing paper information and reads a document. An image read from an original is recognized, and a print target area is recognized from the image. Save the area data and size of the print target area. If there is no remaining document, the drawing position in the printing paper is determined for each print target image. The images to be printed are collected and drawn on the printing paper. If there is no remaining image area, print.

  The “image forming apparatus” disclosed in Patent Document 2 prevents an increase in miscopy until authentication for an image forming job that is in the process of starting printing or being executed is completed. When a pause operation is performed on an image forming job during printing, the paper feeding operation is interrupted and an authentication screen for requesting authentication of the operator is displayed on the operation unit. Furthermore, the timer for measuring the non-operation time of the operator is started, and when the non-operation state has elapsed for a predetermined number of seconds, the copying operation is resumed. The user can select and set the line type (broken line or solid line) of the partition line, but cannot adjust the thickness of the line.

The “image forming apparatus” disclosed in Patent Document 3 is an image forming apparatus for collective printing in which image data obtained from a plurality of originals is printed on one output sheet. A plurality of originals of different sizes are converted into an appropriate size on a single output sheet with margins, and are collectively printed. A margin area is formed on the output sheet. The generation of the margin area is arbitrary. The size of the original is changed so that a plurality of originals are all contained in the original drawing area excluding the margin area on the output paper. A plurality of originals are arranged so that the blank space is minimized with respect to one corner of the original drawing area.
JP 2004-104324 A JP 2005-161677 A JP 2006-042301 A

  However, the conventional integrated printing method has the following problems. If the document data to be consolidated is text only, or if characters are gathered at the boundary of the consolidated page, it will be difficult to read without margins. Even if there is a margin, if the margin width cannot be selected, aggregate printing cannot be performed at an optimum size. Moreover, if the thickness of the partition line cannot be adjusted, an optimal layout that is easy to read cannot be realized.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and when performing aggregate printing, a layout requested by a user by enabling specification of a margin width and a partition line thickness between aggregated pages. Therefore, it is possible to perform aggregate printing with an optimal size that is easy to read.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus including a drawing processing unit that creates print data based on input document data, and an output unit that prints the print data on printing paper . A plurality of pages of document data to be printed on a single sheet of paper, a unit for instructing an integrated print, a margin setting unit for setting the width of each margin area in the aggregate print, and a blank area in the aggregate print. that partition line width setting means for setting a width of the partition line, wherein the drawing processing means, in response to the aggregate printing process is instructed, the number of pages to be aggregated into one print sheet, the margin areas width and the print size of the printable area, and the magnification calculating means for calculating a ratio to the printable area of the aggregate area which is an area for printing the document data of one page on the basis of, in accordance with the determined magnification data of And means for creating data, the ratio calculating means, and means for calculating a ratio to the printable area of the aggregate area between the margin width as a partition line width when partition line width is wider than between the margin width It was set as the structure provided.

The margin setting means sets a margin width that is the width of the margin area between the edge of the aggregate area and the edge of the printable area, and a margin width that is the width of the margin area between the aggregate areas. Means for setting. The magnification calculation means includes means for obtaining a magnification using a predetermined value of the width of the margin area when the width of the set margin area is outside the predetermined range. The margin setting means includes means for setting the marginal margin width and the marginal margin width with numerical values indicating the length, or means for setting the ratio of the marginal margin width to the marginal margin width .

Furthermore, specifications cut line width setting unit may obtain Bei means for setting the width of the vertical and horizontal partition lines individually.

  With the above configuration, even if there are both settings related to the width of the divider line and the margin between pages for aggregate printing, the divider line and margin can be adjusted to the optimum width, making it easier to read the aggregated text. .

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, when no partition line is set, the margin width between pages for aggregate printing can be arbitrarily set. Based on the number of pages to be aggregate-printed on one sheet, the margin width, and the printable size. Thus, an image processing apparatus that obtains the magnification of an area for one page of documents to be collectively printed with respect to the printable area and creates print data according to the obtained magnification.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus 1 is an apparatus that creates and prints print data based on input original data. The image processing apparatus 1 includes four parts: an operation panel 3, a host I / F device 4, an interpreter 5, and a drawing engine 6. The operation panel 3 is means for displaying the setting state of the device main body and receiving input from the user. The host I / F device 4 is means for receiving document data from the host computer. The interpreter 5 is means for creating print data from document data in accordance with a command. The drawing engine 6 is means for printing the print data on a printing paper.

  The interpreter 5 includes a PDL device control command processing unit 51, a PDL drawing processing control command processing unit 52, and a drawing processing / device control unit 53. The PDL device control command processing unit 51 is a means for performing device control command analysis and execution processing. The PDL drawing process control command processing unit 52 is means for analyzing and executing a drawing process command. The drawing processing / device control unit 53 is a means for controlling the device and creating a page image to be printed in accordance with the analysis result of the PDL data. The PDL drawing processing control command processing unit 52 includes a drawing position determination processing unit 521 and the like. The drawing position determination processing unit 521 is means for determining a drawing position.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the drawing position determination processing unit. In FIG. 2, the drawing position determination processing unit 521 includes a command analysis unit 11, a normal printing position selection unit 12, and an aggregate printing position selection unit 13. The command analysis unit 11 is means for analyzing the PDL command 21. The normal print position selection unit 12 is means for selecting a normal print position. The aggregate print position selection unit 13 is a means for selecting the aggregate print position and calculating the magnification.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow during normal printing. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the drawing position determination process (SN7) when pages of the same size are collectively printed. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an aggregation region determination process (SN77) when no partition line is set. FIG. 6 shows the result reflected in the aggregate print area when no partition line is set.

  The function and operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described. First, an overview of the functions of the image processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. When the user performs collective printing, the margin width, the margin width, and the partition line (partition line thickness, color, line type) can be set and adjusted separately. The margin width (innermargin) is a width between aggregated areas that are areas for printing one page of document data. The margin margin width (outermargin) is the width between the edge of the printable area of the printing paper and the edge of the aggregation area. A borderline is a line prepared for partitioning each aggregated area. The margin width, the margin width, and the thickness of the partition line can be arbitrarily set within a predetermined range (for example, within 1 to 72 points).

  The operation panel 3 displays the settings of the device main body and accepts input from the user, and changes the settings of the device main body. The host I / F device 4 receives print data from the host computer. The PDL device control command processing unit 51 performs device control command analysis and execution processing. The PDL drawing processing control command processing unit 52 performs drawing processing command analysis and execution processing. The drawing processing / device control unit 53 controls the device and creates a page image to be printed in accordance with the analysis result of the PDL data. The drawing engine 6 prints the page image passed from the interpreter 5. PDL (Print Description Language) file formats include PDF, RTIFF, and PictBridge. In each embodiment, explanation will be made assuming PDF, but data in other formats may be used as long as the paper size can be understood at the time of interpretation.

  Next, the operation of the drawing position determination processing unit will be described with reference to FIG. The command analysis unit 11 receives the PDL command 21 related to the print position from the PDL drawing processing control command processing unit 52. The normal print position selection unit 12 receives the normal print area information / paper information 22 from the command analysis unit 11, selects the normal print position from the received information, and draws the selected normal print area 24 with drawing processing / device control. Notify unit 53. The aggregate print position selection unit 13 receives the aggregate print area information / paper information 23 from the command analysis unit 11, selects the aggregate print position from the received information, calculates the magnification 26 from the selected aggregate print area 25, The integrated print area 25 and the magnification 26 are notified to the drawing processing / device control unit 53.

  Next, the flow during normal printing will be described with reference to FIG. In step SO1, information on the print target paper is acquired from the PDL command. In step SO2, the PDL command is interpreted and the content of the original is read. In step SO3, the image read from the document is recognized. In step SO4, information on the printable area of the printing paper is acquired from the PDL command. In step SO5, the data and size of the printable area acquired in step SO4 are recognized. In step SO6, the data and size of the area recognized in step SO5 are stored. In step SO7, the position for drawing each print image on the printing paper is determined. In step SO8, drawing is performed. Printing is performed at step SO9.

Next, the operation during collective printing will be described with reference to FIG. In the PDL command, if there is a command related to aggregate printing for creating print data corresponding to one sheet from a plurality of pages of document data, it is processed in the following procedure. In step SN1, print sheet information is acquired from the PDL command. In step SN2, the PDL command is interpreted and the content of the original is read. In step SN3, an image read from the document is recognized. In step SN4, information on the printable area of the printing paper is acquired from the PDL command. At step SN5, step SN4
The data and size of the printable area acquired in step 1 are recognized. In step SN6, the data and size of the area recognized in step SN5 are stored. In step SN7, an area for collective printing is determined. In step SN8, the magnification (enlargement / reduction ratio) for converting the document data into the print data is calculated from the aggregate print area. In step SN9, the drawing position of each print image is determined using the magnification. In step SN10, drawing is performed. In step SN11, printing is performed.

  Next, the procedure of the drawing position determination process (SN7) when the same size pages are collectively printed will be described with reference to FIG. In step SN71, the width (wp) of the print area included in the PDL command is acquired, and the height (hp) of the print area is acquired. In step SN72, it is determined whether or not a margin area between each aggregated page is set in the PDL command. If there is a margin area setting, it is checked in step SN73 if the margin area setting value is within the settable range. If the margin area is not set or if the set value is outside the settable range, the default margin width is used in step SN74. The default value is 50 points, for example.

  In step SN75, if the margin area is set and the set value is within the settable range, the set value is saved. In step SN76, setting information relating to the partition line is stored. In step SN761, it is checked whether a partition line is set. In the first embodiment, since no partition line is set, the process proceeds to step SN77. The width (wnup) and height (hnup) of the aggregate area are determined from the width of the margin area and the size of the print area. In step SN78, the width (wa) and height (ha) of the image are acquired. In step SN79, the magnification of the image is obtained from the aggregate area and the width / height of the image. In step SN80, the image arrangement is adjusted so that wa <wnup and ha <hnup. In step SN81, the printing position is determined.

Next, an aggregation region determination process (SN77) when no partition line is set will be described with reference to FIG. As an example, a method for calculating an aggregation area when four pages are aggregated into one page will be described. Expression (1) is an expression for calculating the width of each aggregated area.
Aggregation area width (wnup)
= (Print area width (wp)-(2 × edge margin width + intermediate margin width)) / 2 (1)
Expression (2) is an expression for calculating the height of each aggregated area.
Aggregate area height (hnup)
= (Print area height (hp)-(2 × Border margin width + Blank margin width)) / 2 (2)
By changing the margin width and the margin margin width between the expressions (1) and (2), the width and height of each aggregated area are changed.

An example of the aggregate print area under the following conditions is shown.
Print area width (wp) = 1550 (point)
Aggregate area height (hp) = 2450 (point)
Margin width = 60 (point)
Border margin width = 40 (point)
“point” is a unit representing the size of a type.
1 (point) = 1/72 (inch) = 25.4 / 72 (mm) ≒ 0.35 (mm)
Aggregation area width (wnup) = (1550-(2 x 40 + 60)) / 2 = 705 (point)
Aggregation area height (hnup) = (2450-(2 x 40 + 60)) / 2 = 1155 (point)

Expressions (3), (4), and (5) are expressions relating to the magnification determination process (SN78) when performing collective printing. This is a method of calculating a magnification when printing four pages into one page.
scaleX (X magnification of the image)
= Aggregation area width (wnup) / image width (wa) (3)
scaleY (magnification in the Y direction of the image)
= Aggregation area height (hnup) / image height (ha) (4)
scale (overall magnification of the image) = min (scaleX, scaleY) (5)
In formula (5), min (scaleX, scaleY) means taking the smaller of both.

The example of the magnification on the following conditions is shown.
Aggregation area width (wnup) = 705 (point)
Aggregate area height (hnup) = 1155 (point)
Image width (wa) = 1223 (point)
Image height (ha) = 2225 (point)
scaleX (magnification in the X direction of the image) = 705/1223 = 0.57
scaleY (magnification in the Y direction of the image) = 1155/2225 = 0.51
scale (total image magnification) = min (0.57, 0.51) = 0.51

  FIG. 6 shows a result of collecting four pages into one page and reflecting the marginal margin width and the marginal margin width in the print area. Since the image height is reduced to match the aggregate area height, the aggregate area width is small. This difference is shown as an adjustment margin. Although the margin width and the margin width are set in point units, they may be set in mm units. You may set by the magnification with respect to the default value of the margin width. Although the margin width and the margin width are set separately, the same value may be used by simply setting the margin width without distinction. Not only four pages but also two pages or six pages are consolidated into one page, the same can be done by changing each formula according to the number of consolidated pages.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, when there is no setting of the partition line, the image processing apparatus can arbitrarily set the margin width between pages for aggregate printing, and the number of pages to be aggregated and printed on one sheet. And the margin width and the printable size, the magnification of the area for one page of the original to be printed is calculated based on the printable area, and the print data is created according to the calculated magnification. Can be set to be easier to read.

  The second embodiment of the present invention is an image processing apparatus capable of separately setting a margin width and a margin margin width in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction when no partition line is set.

The basic configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The setting of the margin width and the margin width and the related points are different. When the user performs collective printing, the margin width and the margin margin width between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are set separately. A case where four pages are combined into one page and printed is taken as an example. Set the following values:
Print area width (wp) = 1550 (point)
Print area height (hp) = 2450 (point)
Vertical margin width = 50 (point)
Horizontal margin width = 35 (point)
Vertical margin width = 30 (point)
Horizontal margin width = 20 (point)
Image width (wa) = 1223 (point)
Image height (ha) = 2225 (point)

The values of Equation (1) and Equation (2) are as follows:
Aggregation area width (wnup) = (1550 − ((2 × 35) +20)) / 2 = 730 (point)
Aggregate area height (hnup) = (2450 − ((2 × 50) +30)) / 2 = 1160 (point)
When the magnification is calculated using Equation (3), Equation (4) and Equation (5), it is as follows.
scaleX (magnification in the X direction of the image) = 730/1223 = 0.59
scaleY (magnification in the Y direction of the image) = 1160/2225 = 0.52
scale (total image magnification) = min (0.59, 0.52) = 0.52

  FIG. 7 shows the results when the margin width and the margin margin width between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are set separately. Although the margin width and the margin width are set in point units, they may be set in mm units. You may set by the magnification with respect to the default value of the margin width. Since the image height is reduced to match the aggregate area height, the aggregate area width is small. This difference is shown as an adjustment margin.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, when the partition line is not set, the image processing apparatus is configured so that the margin width and the margin margin width can be set separately in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The gap between pages can be set to the most legible width.

  The third embodiment of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that adjusts the margin based on the ratio between the marginal margin width and the marginal margin width when no partition line is set.

The basic configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The setting of the margin width and the margin width and the related points are different. When the user performs collective printing, the ratio between the margin width and the margin width is input. An example will be described in which four pages are combined into one page and printed. The following values are set values.
Print area width (wp) = 1550 (point)
Print area height (hp) = 2450 (point)
Image width (wa) = 1323 (point)
Image height (ha) = 2225 (point)
Margin width: Margin width = 3: 1

The calculation without margins is as follows.
Aggregation area width (wnup) = 1550/2 = 775 (point)
Aggregate area height (hnup) = 2450/2 = 1225 (point)
scaleX (magnification in the X direction of the image) = 775/1323 ≒ 0.58
scaleY (magnification in the Y direction of the image) = 1225/2225 ≒ 0.55
scale (total image magnification) = min (0.58, 0.55) = 0.55
Since the magnification in the vertical direction is adopted, the temporary adjustment margin in the horizontal direction is as follows.
Temporary adjustment margin = 775−1323 × 0.55 ≒ 47

Recalculation based on the temporary adjustment margin is as follows.
Aggregation area width (wnup) = (1550−235) /2=657.5 (point)
Aggregate area height (hnup) = (2450−235) / 2 = 1107.5 (point)
scaleX (magnification in the X direction of the image) = 520/1323 ≒ 0.49
scaleY (magnification in the Y direction of the image) = 1107.5 / 2225 ≒ 0.49
scale (total image magnification) = min (0.49, 0.49) = 0.49
By calculating the margin with a set ratio based on the temporary adjustment margin, the margin can be adjusted to be close to the input ratio. FIG. 8 shows the results when the margin width and the margin width are set in this way. If the temporary adjustment margin is outside the margin margin, use the default value.

  As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, when the partition line is not set, the image processing apparatus is configured to adjust the margin based on the ratio between the marginal margin width and the marginal margin width. The gap can be made the most legible.

  In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when the partition line is set, priority is given to the wider partition line width and the margin width. When the partition line width is wider than the margin width, the partition line width is set to the margin width. As an image processing apparatus for calculating an aggregated area.

  The basic configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The setting of the partition line width is different from the related processing. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the drawing position determination process (SN7) when pages of the same size are collectively printed. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the calculation result of the aggregated area when the space width is wider than the partition line width in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an aggregation region determination process (SN77 to SN77) when a partition line having a width wider than the width of the margin region is set. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a result of recalculating the aggregated area when the partition line width is wider than the space width.

  With reference to FIG. 4, the processing procedure of the collective printing in the case where the partition line is set will be described. If there is a partition line setting, the setting values (line type / width / color of the partition line) are saved in step SN762. In step SN763, the setting value of the partition line width is compared with the default value. If the partition line width is the same as the default value, proceed to SN77. If the setting value of the partition line width is different from the default value, in step SN764, the setting value of the partition line width is compared with the margin width. If any partition line width is narrower than the margin width, proceed to SN77. If there is a partition line wider than the space width, the SN 765 updates the vertical (horizontal) space width narrower than the vertical (horizontal) partition line width to the vertical (horizontal) partition line width and saves it. In step SN77, the width (wnup) and height (hnup) of the aggregate area are determined from the width of the margin area, the partition line width, and the size of the print area.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a method for calculating the aggregate area when the partition line width is narrower than the space width will be described. When the user performs collective printing, the width of the partition line is also set. The margin width and the margin margin width between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are set separately. A case where four pages are combined into one page and printed is taken as an example. Set the following values:
Print area width (wp) = 1550 (point)
Print area height (hp) = 2450 (point)
Vertical margin width = 50 (point)
Horizontal margin width = 35 (point)
Vertical margin width = 30 (point)
Horizontal margin width = 20 (point)
Divider line width = 5 (point)
Image width (wa) = 1223 (point)
Image height (ha) = 2225 (point)

here,
Divider line width (5 points) <Horizontal margin width (35 points) <Vertical margin width (50 points)
Therefore, Formula (1) and Formula (2) of Example 1 are applied. The calculation results of the aggregate area width (wnup), the aggregate area height (hnup), the magnification ScaleX in the X direction of the image, and the magnification ScaleY in the Y direction of the image are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, a method for calculating the width of each aggregated area when the set partition line width is wider than the margin width when four pages are consolidated into one page will be described with reference to FIG. Expression (6) is an expression for calculating the width of the aggregate region when the horizontal partition line width is wider than the horizontal margin width. The horizontal partition line width is the width of a vertically long partition line inserted into the horizontal margin area.
Aggregation area width (wnup)
= (Print area width (wp)-(2 × Border margin width + Horizontal divider line width)) / 2 (6)
Expression (7) is an expression for calculating the height of the aggregate region when the vertical partition line width is wider than the vertical margin width. The vertical partition line width is the width of a horizontally long partition line inserted in the vertical margin area.
Aggregate area height (hnup)
= (Print area height (hp)-(2 x margin margin width + vertical divider line width)) / 2 (7)
By changing the partition line width and the margin margin width in Expression (6) and Expression (7), the width and height of each aggregated area are changed.

An example of the aggregate print area under the following conditions is shown.
Print area width (wp) = 1550 (point)
Print area height (hp) = 2450 (point)
Vertical margin width = 50 (point)
Horizontal margin width = 35 (point)
Vertical margin width = 30 (point)
Horizontal margin width = 20 (point)
Partition line width = 60 (point)
Image width (wa) = 1223 (point)
Image height (ha) = 2225 (point)

here,
Partition line width (60 points)> Vertical margin width (50 points)> Horizontal margin width (35 points)
Therefore, equations (6) and (7) are applied, and their values are as follows.
Aggregation area width (wnup) = (1550 − ((2 × 20) +60)) / 2 = 725 (point)
Aggregation area height (hnup) = (2450 − ((2 × 30) +60)) / 2 = 1165 (point)
When the magnification is calculated using Equation (3), Equation (4) and Equation (5), it is as follows.
scaleX (X magnification of the image) = 725/1223 ≒ 0.59
scaleY (magnification in the Y direction of the image) = 1165/2225 ≒ 0.52
scale (total image magnification) = min (0.59, 0.52) ≒ 0.52

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, a calculation method of the aggregated area in the case where the vertical and horizontal partition line widths set individually are wider than the space width will be described. When the user performs collective printing, the widths of the vertical and horizontal divider lines are individually set. The margin width and the margin margin width between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are also set separately. A case where four pages are combined into one page and printed is taken as an example. Set the following values:
Print area width (wp) = 1550 (point)
Print area height (hp) = 2450 (point)
Vertical margin width = 50 (point)
Horizontal margin width = 35 (point)
Vertical margin width = 30 (point)
Horizontal margin width = 20 (point)
Vertical partition line width = 10 (point)
Horizontal partition line width = 60 (point)
Image width (wa) = 1223 (point)
Image height (ha) = 2225 (point)

here,
Horizontal partition line width (60 points)> Horizontal margin width (35 points)
Vertical margin width (50 points)> Vertical partition line width (10 points)
Therefore, Equation (6) and Equation (2) are applied, and their values are as follows.
Aggregation area width (wnup) = (1550 − ((2 × 20) +60)) / 2 = 725 (point)
Aggregate area height (hnup) = (2450 − ((2 × 30) +50)) / 2 = 1170 (point)
When the magnification is calculated using Equation (3), Equation (4) and Equation (5), it is as follows.
scaleX (X magnification of the image) = 725/1223 ≒ 0.59
scaleY (magnification in the Y direction of the image) = 1170/2225 ≒ 0.52
scale (total image magnification) = min (0.59, 0.52) ≒ 0.52

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the image processing apparatus gives priority to the wider partition line width and the blank space width, and when the divider line width is larger than the blank space width, the partition line width is increased. Since the aggregate area is calculated as the margin width, the magnification in the image X (Y) direction can be obtained more accurately, and the aggregate area can be secured.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention is optimal as an apparatus for performing aggregate printing.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image processing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the drawing position determination process part of the image processing apparatus in Example 1 of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow during normal printing of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart of a drawing position determination process when pages of the same size are collectively printed in the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the determination process of an aggregation area | region with the image processing apparatus in Example 1 of this invention. It is the result reflected in the consolidated printing area in the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the result when the margin setting value 1 of the margin area and the margin setting value 2 are arbitrarily set in the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the result when the margin setting value 1 and margin setting value 2 of a margin area are set by the ratio with the image processing apparatus in Example 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the calculation result of the aggregation area | region in the case of the image processing apparatus in Example 4 of this invention when a space margin width is wider than a partition line width. It is a figure which shows the result of having calculated the aggregation area | region in the image processing apparatus in Example 4 of this invention, when a partition line width is wider than a space margin width. It is a figure which shows the result of having calculated the aggregation area | region when one of the partition line widths is wider than a space width in the image processing apparatus in Example 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the result of the consolidated printing of the conventional method. It is a figure which shows another result of the consolidated printing of a conventional method.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing device, 3 ... Operation panel, 4 ... Host I / F device, 5 ... Interpreter, 6 ... Drawing engine, 11 ... Command analysis part, 12 ... Normal print position selection part, 13 ... Integrated print position selection part, 21 ... PDL command, 22 ... Normal print area information / paper information, 23 ... Integrated print area information / paper information, 24 ...・ Normal print area, 25 ... Integrated print area, 26 ... Magnification, 51 ... PDL device control command processing unit, 52 ... PDL drawing process control command processing unit, 53 ... Drawing process / device Control unit, 521... Drawing position determination processing unit.

Claims (13)

In an image processing apparatus comprising drawing processing means for creating print data based on input document data, and output means for printing the print data on printing paper,
Means for instructing an aggregate print for printing a plurality of pages of document data on a single print sheet;
Margin setting means for setting the width of each margin area in consolidated printing ;
Partition line width setting means for setting the width of the partition line inserted in the margin area in the aggregate printing,
With
Said drawing processing means, in response to the aggregate printing process is instructed, the number of pages to be aggregated into one print sheet, and the width of the margin areas, and the size of the printable area, one page based on A magnification calculating means for obtaining a magnification with respect to the printable area of the aggregate area, which is an area for printing original document data, and means for creating print data according to the obtained magnification ,
The ratio calculating means, the image processing apparatus according to claim Rukoto comprises means for calculating a ratio to the printable area of the aggregate area between the margin width as a partition line width when partition line width is wider than between the margin width .   The margin setting means sets a margin width that is the width of the margin area between the edge of the aggregate area and the edge of the printable area, and sets a margin width that is the width of the margin area between the aggregate areas. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   3. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the magnification calculation means includes means for obtaining a magnification using a predetermined value of the width of the margin area when the width of the set margin area is outside a predetermined range. apparatus.   3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the margin setting unit includes a unit that sets the marginal margin width and the marginal margin width with numerical values indicating lengths.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the margin setting unit includes a unit that sets a ratio between the marginal margin width and the marginal margin width. The partition line width setting means, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means to set separately the width of the partition line of the vertical and horizontal. In an image processing method in an image processing apparatus including a drawing processing step of creating print data based on input document data and a step of printing the print data on a printing paper,
A margin setting step for setting the width of each margin area in aggregate printing for printing document data for a plurality of pages on one printing paper;
A partition line width setting step for setting a width of a partition line inserted in a blank space area in aggregate printing;
Have
The drawing processing step is performed for one page based on the number of pages to be aggregated on one sheet of printing paper, the width of each margin area, and the size of the printable area in response to an instruction for the aggregate printing process. A magnification calculation step for obtaining a magnification with respect to the printable area of the aggregate area, which is an area for printing the original data, and a step of creating print data according to the obtained magnification
Field the ratio calculation step, you characterized Rukoto to have a step of calculating a ratio to the printable area of the aggregate area between the margin width as a partition line width when partition line width is wider than between the margin width Image processing method . In the margin setting process, the width of the margin region between the edge of the aggregation area to the edge of the printable area is set as the edge margin width, the Rukoto set as between the margin width the width of the margin region between aggregate area The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein: Wherein the ratio calculation step, if the width of the set margin area is out of the predetermined range, the image processing according to claim 7, wherein Rukoto seek magnification using the default value of the width of the margin area Method. 9. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein, in the margin setting step, the marginal margin width and the marginal margin width are set as numerical values indicating lengths . Wherein in the margin setting process, it said edge width of the margin area margin width in the ratio of the inter-blank width is set image processing method according to claim 8, wherein Rukoto. A computer program describing a processing procedure for executing each step of the image processing method according to any one of claims 7 to 11 by a computer . A computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program according to claim 12 .

Images